Bernard McCullough, a.k.a Bernie Mac, would have been honored and proud of the enormous outcome of fans and celebs at his funeral on the South Side of Chicago. Mac was famous for the coined phrase “Who U Wit” from the Emmy-winning “The Bernie Mac Show”.

In a very supernatural way he’s still here, as the movie premiere for “Soul Man” featuring Samuel L. Jackson and Issac Hayes will be released in November. The movie is about a rhythm and blues band who reunite after 20 years of an acrimonious breakup following the death of the band’s lead singer. Jackson and Bernie play the group’s two main members, while Isaac Hayes portrays himself. And eerily enough, the movie’s plot is about death.

Many can be replaced but duplicating will never happen. You are forever missed Bernie!

I spoke with some of his closest friends and here is what they had to say:

August is the month of MUSIC. Let’s catch you up to speed… “She’s Back” was posted 6/12/08 about Chicago’s own Syleena Johnson’s long awaited debut.

After a four year hiatus from being in love and the birth of her first child, Johnson is ready to release her fourth album Chapter 4: Labor Pains, which is an in-depth look at her most personal struggles. A total of 16 tracks and one of my personal favorites titled “Freedom” featuring Blues singer Syl Johnson (her father) is a hit. Other local natives appearing on the album are Teefa and always holding down the Chi, Crucial Conflict.

Debuting an album is not the only celebration. Syleena amicably left Jive Records in 2006 and has now gone independent with her personal label Aneelys Records, a subsidary of Universal Music Group. Normally, after hibernation and leaving a major label, it’s easy for an artist to fall by the wayside, but this is not going to be the case with Chapter 4: Labor Pains. The only way is UP! The release has been pushed back from it’s original date (Sept. 2nd, her birthday) to January 13, 2009. Wow, can you believe we’re only 4 months away? Time flies. Check out the interview below and let me know your thoughts or who you’d like to see next. Also, check out www.myspace.com/syleenjohnson for more hot tracks.

Check out the video of her performance and an interview from her album release at Rumba on West Hubbard.

After a decade of being a must have item in your home or office, Lora Fosberg has put together a one of a kind collection.

“The End of the Beginning” is a work of art… literally! This is not your normal novel of romance, scandals and mysteries although with a vivid imagination anything is possible.

Dressed in all black, surrounded by fans and friends on dramatic black leather booths with spotlights directly on the anticipated 9X12 masterpiece, this was no doubt Fosberg’s beginning to a night of memories. Before the interview I took an opportunity to glance the pages as if I was strolling a galleria and each page turned, art became more alive. It has solace, laughter and sensuality which are all characters of her bubbly personality.

Then log onto www.lorafosberg.com to see this eco-friendly collection. Also, a quick shout to “SPYBAR” for holding the book-signing. Classy, Sophisticated and Elite! Great spot for mingling, after work drinks, private parties or to be around A Lister’s in Chicago!